Area guidelines are in place

While they have not abolished two-a-day practices, high school state associations in Georgia and South Carolina already have implemented guidelines to ease athletes into the heat.

The first day of football practice in Georgia is Aug. 1, but teams can work out in full pads only three times in the first five days.

The first day of practice in South Carolina is July 31, but teams cannot work out in full pads until Aug. 4.

Dr. Steven Greer, director of primary care sports medicine at Medical College of Georgia, said getting players acclimated to the heat is the best way to prevent heat illness.

"And that takes awhile," Greer said.

Greer worked with the Richmond County Board of Education to adopt new heat safety guidelines last year. He said he was pleased with those guidelines and they should be followed again this year. Among the guidelines: multiple practices should not be introduced in the first week, and practices should not exceed six consecutive days.

"The University of Georgia, the University of Florida, the University of Alabama ... this is how they do their practices," Greer said.

Coaches say two-a-day practices are effective when they are implementing something new, such as a different offense.

"If you're trying to do something new, time is important," said Bob Polewski, the athletic director at South Aiken High School who coached football for 16 years. "There are some benefits and some drawbacks."

But two-a-days have become rare as the educational calendar sneaks up on the first day of practice, coaches said. Westside football coach Gerald Barnes said teachers have to be in class during the second week of football practice this year, making two-a-days practically impossible.

Reach Matt Middleton at (706) 823-3425 or matt.middleton@augustachronicle.com.